Get school buses sorted out, then worry about North Korea says Conway-Walsh

Mayo Advertiser, Fri, Nov 17, 2017

Minister Halligan would be better served sorting out school transport problems in Mayo than arranging trips to North Korea says Sinn Fein Seantor Rose Conway-Walsh. Senator Walsh has requested Minister John Halligan to come into the Seanad to deal with the continuing problems in school transport provision in Mayo.

Speaking after raising the issue in the Seanad the Mayo Senator said:“Many students who decide to repeat the Leaving Cert can only make that decision once their results are released. For many who decide to repeat, this is too late to register for a school bus ticket. I know of one student who has been judged eligible for a ticket, but due to not being registered in time has been told that there is no more space left on her bus.

This leads to situations in families where one sibling has a place on the bus, while another has to rely on family or friends for transport. This means chaos for the entire family and is hugely disruptive for the student in terms of arriving at school in time.

This is not the first time a situation like this has arisen and I fear that it may well repeat itself. The parents of these students are frustrated at being passed from the Departments of Education to Transport and to the bus companies with no hope of a resolution.

The School Transport system is supposed to serve all children so it is totally unacceptable that these children and others are being refused a seat on the bus. I am asking Minister Halligan to focus on his job and ensure that these students who have been let down by the system are facilitated on school buses as soon as possible.”